Standings after round 8:
6.0 points---GM Susan Megaranto (Indonesia)
5.0 points---IM Michael Concio Jr. (Philippines)
4.5 points---IM Paulo Bersamina (Philippines), GM John Paul Gomez (Philippines), IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia (Philippines)
4.0 points---GM Tuan Minh Tran (Vietnam), IM Daniel Quizon (Philippines), IM Joel Banawa (USA)
2.5 points---GM Rogelio Antonio Jr. (Philippines)
1.0 points---WIM Miaoyi Lu (China)
MARIKINA CITY---Filipino International Master Michael Concio Jr. blasted Vietnamese Grandmaster Tuan Minh Tran on Friday to stay in contention after eight and penultimate round in the 11th edition of Kamatyas Invitational GM Tournament 2023 at the Grandmaster Eugene Torre Museum of Pan de Amerikana in Concepcion Dos, Marikina City.
Concio, one of the top players of the star-studded Dasmariñas Chess Academy under the guidance of Mayor Jenny Barzaga, Rep. Elpidio "Pidi" Barzaga Jr. and National Coach FIDE Master Roel Abelgas, raised his score to 5.0 points on three wins, four draws and only one loss in this prestigious, single round robin tournament.
"Mabuti maganda nilaro natin kontra kay Vietnamese Grandmaster Tuan Minh Tran," said Concio, who is fresh from winning the gold medal of the rapid competition in the Eastern Asia Juniors and Girls Chess Championship 2023 held at the Sabah Oriental Hotel in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia last December 8.
Overall, the Filipino champion from Dasmariñas, Cavite is a full point behind solo leader Grandmaster Susanto Megaranto of Indonesia (6.0 points), who brought down Woman International Master Miaoyi Lu of China.
The champion in the week-long FIDE Standard tournament jointly organized by International Master Roderick Nava and National Master David Almirol of Kamatyas Chess Club will receive $4,000 while the second placer to fifth placer will have $2,000, $1,000, $800 and $700. Sixth up to 10th placers will receive $500 each.
International Master Jan Emmanuel Garcia of the Philippines edged countryman Grandmaster Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr. to improve to 4.5 points and join International Master Paulo Bersamina and Grandmaster John Paul Gomez of the Philippines in a tie for 3rd to 6th places.
Bersamina split the point with compatriot International Master Daniel Quizon while Gomez drew with International Master Joel Banawa of the United States.
Tran, Quizon and Banawa remained at lower half of the standings with 4.0 points each while Antonio was stuck at 2.5 points and Miaoyi at cellar dweller with 1.0 point.-Marlon Bernardino-
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